New Hunter Need Optics - Recommendations

"Shooting with both eyes open" is this something I should be doing when looking through the scope ? ... .

Ideally, yes, because you get the full field of view you would without a scope. Your dominant eye will focus on the picture in the scope and your brain will adjust the other eye's version of the scene to fit the whole picture. Unless you are cross-dominant, i.e. if you are shooting a right handed gun and your left eye is dominant, your right eye will be looking through the scope and your brain will want to tune in to the other eye. I'm not sure if you'll be able to make it work, I'm right handed with right eye dominant. You'll have to try it to find out.

It is easier to get used to shooting with both eyes open if you start with lower magnification. When you find you are doing it without thinking about it, increase the magnification gradually.



Am I correct also in understanding that the lower power scopes have a greater field of view ? 1- 5 or 1-8 ? or am I not understanding it correctly?

All else being equal, you'll have a larger field of view (f.o.v.) at lower magnification than at higher. All else being equal, a larger objective lens will give you a larger f.o.v. than a smaller lens will. So if your examples were 1-5x32 and 1-8x32 expect same f.o.v. when they are at the same magnification, both getting smaller as you turn up the magnification. When the latter is at 6x, 7x, 8x the f.o.v. will be even smaller. But if the 1-5x has a larger objective lens (depending on how much larger) it could offer a larger f.o.v than the 1-8x even when using more of its magnification.

3-9x was for a very long time the most common range of magnification for variable power hunting scopes because 3x is very rarely too much, even for close shots, and 9x is rarely not enough because most of us shouldn't take shots at game that is too far away to shoot with 9x. A well made scope in 3-9x still works.



The main drivers of demand for higher magnification and larger lenses is that if you don't know what you are doing you tend to assume that bigger numbers mean more capability and more must be better. But more magnification than you need and bigger lenses have their downsides, one of which is cost (even if it doesn't cost more to make, it tends to cost more to buy.) Don't let that divert too much of your budget away from optical quality (glass and the lens coatings) or from mechanical quality (precision parts that work consistently to give reliable adjustments and that are robust in field conditions.)

A larger objective lens will admit more light, all else being equal, but your eye can only handle so much. Divide your objective lens size by the magnification you are using to discover a figure called exit pupil. E.g. a 4x28mm scope gives an exit pupil of 7 and that's the typical maximum size a young adult human's eye can make use of. As we age, our eyes can't use even that much, at middle age 5 is a good number. Anything more is wasted, so quality of glass and lens coatings become more important to getting a brighter image from the maximum useful size of exit pupil.
 
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I would stay with Leupold. Excellent glass, which is important for hunting in non ideal conditions. Checking the scopes indoor does not show their quality. If you are not going to shoot long range, get a scope with turret cover. Losing zero while hunting is terrible.
 
Ok all, thanks for the great advice, much appreciated!!!
This is what I pulled the trigger on, link below is only reference I could find online showing the model, new purchase no box or goodies though just the scope, price was right. Let me know what you think. !
https://www.natchezss.com/leupold-vx-6-rifle-scope-2-12x42mm-30mm-cds-zl-duplex-matte.html
Hi
VX-6 Zero-Lock Adjustment Dial System

FireDot Wind-Plex Reticle

Matte Finish

SKU: 120595
 
sounds like a 3-9x 40 or2-7x32 is all you need, leupold, if you have a $1000 budget for glass that doesn't mean you have to spend it all on glass, a good pair of boots, jacket pants will be needed to,
 
vx 6 2-12 is excellent scope for short to mid range, I think that's the best scope for Ont. hunters. unless you plan to hunt power lines, this scope will serve you well. For longer range (+300yard) you need parallax adjustment, and proper turret or ffp christmas tree reticle. Long range is another conversation, practice is key.
 
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vx 6 is excellent scope for short to mid range, I think that's the best scope for Ont. hunters. unless you plan to hunt power lines, this scope will serve you well. For longer range (+300yard) you need parallax adjustment, and proper turret or ffp christmas tree reticle. Long range is another conversation, practice is key.

You need parallax adjustment my arse!

Nothing wrong with a simple bdc reticle for work out to 500, and adjustable parallax on a hunting rifle is unnecessary extra weight. As long as you have a consistent cheek weld and your head is directly behind the scope parallax adjustment is somewhere between over rated and entirely pointless.
 
Haha, a good target shooter might not need parallax adjustment, but hunters don't always have the privilege to shoot on even ground with proper posture. using parallax is a good habit.
One thing to add... lf you shoot pass 300yards, invest in a bubble level, don't need to be fancy, as long it's solid, no folding ones (maybe expensive folding ones are ok, but wheeler folding bubble level is no good).
 
Ok all, thanks for the great advice, much appreciated!!!
This is what I pulled the trigger on, link below is only reference I could find online showing the model, new purchase no box or goodies though just the scope, price was right. Let me know what you think. !
https://www.natchezss.com/leupold-vx-6-rifle-scope-2-12x42mm-30mm-cds-zl-duplex-matte.html
Hi
VX-6 Zero-Lock Adjustment Dial System

FireDot Wind-Plex Reticle

Matte Finish

SKU: 120595

Awesome choice!!!
 
I think for now I'll be happy working up to 300, by the time I start thinking beyond 300 I'll most likely need a new rifle and scope whom I kidding lol

I just want to get good to 300 for now and be consistent, I need to get to know how to use my scope and be able to sight it in. I need to practice a lot!

Any good threads or videos on sighting. In scope/ moa etc. Suggested reading?. I've been watching some videos already.

If all goes well I'll be able to shoot Thursday/Friday,
waiting for the xbolt mounts to come in, he said Thursday if the mounts come in.

I was told that mounting a scope in the xbolt mount/rings did not require lapping as they are CNC machined and the 4 bolt line up the rings perfect, does this seem right? I'm not sure,
Appreciate all the insight, getting excited!! This should be way more yeehaa that my .22lr
 
Long-Range Rifle Shooting with Ryan Cleckner on Youtube. very practical and informative.
properly machined rifle action and rings should not require lapping.

This next suggestion is going to be controversial... but mathematically/physically it is correct.
your scope does not need to be leveled to your rifle; but when you are shooting, your scope must be leveled to gravity. Most people's shoulder pocket isn't vertical, for the rifle to rest comfortably, the rifle needs to be cant inward towards your face; in this case if your scope is leveled to your rifle, it is not leveled to gravity.

So when mounting your scope, position the rifle at a comfortable shooting position, then make sure your scope is leveled to gravity.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Liojq3Uy6Ps
hopefully this is clear... I'm terrible with words.
 
Long-Range Rifle Shooting with Ryan Cleckner on Youtube. very practical and informative.
properly machined rifle action and rings should not require lapping.

This next suggestion is going to be controversial... but mathematically/physically it is correct.
your scope does not need to be leveled to your rifle; but when you are shooting, your scope must be leveled to gravity. Most people's shoulder pocket isn't vertical, for the rifle to rest comfortably, the rifle needs to be cant inward towards your face; in this case if your scope is leveled to your rifle, it is not leveled to gravity.

So when mounting your scope, position the rifle at a comfortable shooting position, then make sure your scope is leveled to gravity.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Liojq3Uy6Ps
hopefully this is clear... I'm terrible with words.

Sounds right to me thanks, I'll have a look at the vids, thanks!
 
Well I got the scope mounted and bore sighted. Went to the range on Saturday and got pretty close to zeroed. It was a crappy day and I was trying to get the gun broke in so I was not too concerned about getting it perfect yet. Wind was blowing the targets and rain blowing in on the bench, but I managed to put trough about 45 rounds. I will be going this week to do a little more break in and get it perfectly zeroed in. I think I have it figured out, now I just have to get used to the gun and the recoil, its a little more than my .22lr lol
 
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